The Big City Gates of Chang'an on the Silk Road
Long ago there was a huge city called Chang'an. It was one of the biggest cities in the whole world! To get in, you had to walk through a giant gate. The main gate had THREE roads side by side. One road was just for the emperor! Camels walked through these gates carrying silk, spices, and shiny things. The gates were so tall that a camel with a big load could walk right under them.
What You'll Learn
- What a city gate is and why Chang'an needed one - What came in and out of the gates - Why the gates were closed at night
A City with a Wall Around It
Chang'an had a big wall all the way around it, like a square. Walls keep a city safe. But people still need to go in and out! So the wall had gates. A gate is a door in a wall. When the sun came up, workers opened the gates. When the sun went down, they closed them and locked them tight.
Almost one million people lived in Chang'an. That is like filling up a giant stadium many, many times over!
Camels at the Gate
The Silk Road was a long, long path. Traders walked it for many months. Their camels carried heavy bags. When they finally saw the gates of Chang'an, they were so happy! At the gate, guards looked at what the camels carried. Then the traders walked into the busy market to sell their silk and buy new things.
Match each thing to where it belongs.
Terms
Definitions
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Why did Chang'an close its gates at night?
What is a gate?
Build Your Own City Gate
1. Use blocks or boxes to build a wall. 2. Leave one spot open for a gate. 3. March a toy animal or a spoon 'camel' up to the gate. 4. Tell a grown-up: is your gate open or closed? Draw a picture of your gate and one thing the camel is carrying.
Flashcards — click each card to reveal the answer
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